Agricultural adjuvant compostions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions

ABSTRACT

An adjuvant composition that contains, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant composition (a) one or more betaine surfactant compounds, and (b) one or more surfactant compounds selected from, alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols is useful as a component of pesticide compositions.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/598,929, filed Nov. 14, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/736,610, filed Nov. 14, 2005. The entire contents of these applications are explicitly incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many agricultural pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, miticides, and plant growth regulators, are applied in the form of a liquid composition. In addition to the pesticide and a solvent, such liquid compositions typically include one or more adjuvant compounds intended to improve one or more properties of the liquid composition, such as for example, storage stability, ease of handling, pesticide efficacy against target organisms.

There is a continuing interest in pesticide compositions that exhibit improved properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to an adjuvant composition comprising,

-   (a) one or more betaine surfactant compounds, and -   (b) one or more surfactant compounds selected from alkyl ether     sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates,     alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a pesticide composition, comprising:

-   (a) one or more betaine surfactant compounds, -   (b) one or more surfactant compounds selected from alkyl ether     sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates,     alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols, and -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for treating a target plant, comprising applying the above described pesticide composition to such plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a saturated straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, such as for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, and cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” means an oxy radical that is substituted with an alkyl group, such as for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, and butoxy. As used herein in reference to an organic compound, the term “alkoxylated” means that the compound comprises one or more alkoxy or, more typically, poly(alkyleneoxy) moieties, such as, for example a poly(ethyleneoxy), poly(propyleneoxy), or poly(ethlyeneoxypropyleneoxy) moiety and the term “ethoxylated” means that the compound comprises at least one ethoxy or poly(ethyleneoxy) moiety. As used herein in reference to a poly(alkyleneoxy) moiety, the notation “(n)”, wherein n is an integer, indicates the number of alkyleneoxy monomeric units in the poly(alkyleneoxy) moiety. For example such as “ ethoxylated (15) tridecyl alcohol” means a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylated with 15 moles of ethyleneoxy units per mole of tridecyl alcohol.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” means an unsaturated straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical that contains one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, such as, for example, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, and 2-propenyl.

As used herein, the term “aryl” means a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon radical containing one or more six-membered carbon rings in which the unsaturation may be represented by three conjugated double bonds, which may be substituted one or more of carbons of the ring with hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, halo, haloalkyl, or amino, such as, for example, phenoxy, phenyl, methylphenyl, dimethylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, chlorophenyl, trichloromethylphenyl, aminophenyl, and tristyrylphenyl.

As used herein, the term “arylene” means a divalent unsaturated hydrocarbon radical containing one or more six-membered carbon rings in which the unsaturation may be represented by three conjugated double bonds, which may be substituted one or more of carbons of the ring with hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, halo, haloalkyl, or amino, such as, for example, phenylene, methylphenylene, trimethylphenylene, aminophenylene, and tristyrylphenylene.

As used herein, the term “aralkyl” means an alkyl group substituted with one or more aryl groups, such as, for example, phenylmethyl, phenylethyl, and triphenylmethyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkenyl” means an alkenyl group substituted with an aryl group, such as, for example, phenylethenyl, and phenylpropenyl.

As used herein, the term “aryloxy” means an oxygen radical substituted with an aryl group, such as, for example, phenoxy, methylphenoxy, and trimethylphenoxy.

As used herein, the terminology “(C_(n)-C_(m))” in reference to an organic group, wherein n and m are each integers, indicates that the group may contain from n carbon atoms to m carbon atoms per group.

As used herein, the term “agronomically acceptable salts” refers to salts prepared from agronomically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Typical agronomically acceptable salts the compound referred to herein comprise an anion derived from the compound, for example, by deprotonation of a hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl substituent, and one or more positively charged counterions. Suitable positively charged counterions include inorganic cations and organic cations, such as for example, sodium cations, potassium cations, calcium cations, magnesium cations, isopropylamine cations, ammonium cations, and tetraalkylammonium cations.

Betaine surfactant compounds are generally known compounds. In one embodiment, the betaine surfactant compound comprises one or more compounds according to formula (I):

wherein:

R¹, R², and R³ are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,

alkylamidoalkyl, or —CH₂COOH,

or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, R¹ and R² are each independently (C₁-C₆)alkyl, more typically methyl, and R³ is (C₁-C₃₀)alkyl, more typically (C₈-C₁₈)alkyl.

In one embodiment, R¹ and R² are each independently (C₁-C₆)alkyl, more typically methyl, and R³ is alkylamidoalkyl, more typically (C₁-C₃₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

Suitable betaines include, for example, decyl dimethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, coco dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.

Alkyl ether sulfate surfactant compounds are generally known compounds and include agronomically acceptable salts of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates. In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more alkyl ether sulfate surfactant compounds according to formula (II):

wherein:

each R⁴ is independently H or methyl,

R⁵ is alkyl,

m is an integer of from 1 to 100 , more typically from 1 to 50 , and

X⁺ is an agronomically acceptable cation.

In one embodiment, R⁵ is (C₁-C₃₀)alkyl, more typically (C₈-C₁₈)alkyl.

In one embodiment, each R⁴ is H and is from 1 to about 10.

Suitable alkyl ether sulfate surfactant compounds, include, for example, sodium (C₈-C₁₀)alkyl ether sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

Sulfonate surfactant compounds are generally known compounds and include agronomically acceptable salts of mono-sulfonic acids, agronomically acceptable salts of di-sulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more sulfonate surfactant compounds according to formula (III) or (IV):

wherein:

R⁶ is aryl, aryloxy, or alkenyl,

R⁷ and R^(7′) are each independently arylene, and

X⁺ is an agronomically acceptable cation.

In one embodiment, R⁶ is phenyl, (C₈-C₁₈)alkylphenyl, or (C₈-C₁₈)alkylphenoxy.

In one embodiment, R⁷ and R^(7′) are each (C₈-C₁₈)alkylphenylene.

Suitable sulfonate surfactant compounds include, for example, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, calcium octadecylphenyl sulfonate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate, isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulfonate, isopropylamine tridecyl benzene sulfonate, ammonium tridecyl phenyl sulfonate, sodium (C₈-C₁₈)alkylphenoxysulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate,sodium (C₁₄-C₁₆)alpha olefin sulfonate, disodium alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonates such as, for example, DOWFAX 2A1 (Dow Chemical Company), and mixtures thereof.

Sulfosuccinate surfactant compounds are generally known compounds and include agronomically acceptable salts of mono-esters of sulfosuccinic acid, agronomically acceptable salts of di-esters of sulfosuccinic acid, each of which may, optionally, be alkoxylated, as well as mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more sulfosuccinate surfactant compounds according to formula (V):

wherein:

A and A′ are each independently —O⁻X⁺, or

provided that at least one of A and A′ is

each R⁸ is independently H or methyl,

each R⁹ is independently H, alkyl, aryl, or alkylamidoalkyl,

each n is independently 0 or an integer of from 1 to about 100,

more typically from 1 to 50 , and

each X⁺ is an agronomically acceptable cation.

In one embodiment, one of A and A′ is —O⁻X⁺, and the other of A and A′ is

wherein n is 0 or an integer of from 1 to about 20 , and R⁹ is (C₆-C₁₈)alkyl, (C₁-C₁₈)alkylphenyl, or (C₆-C₁₈)alkylamido(C₂-C₆)alkyl.

In one embodiment, A and A′ are each

wherein each n is independently 0 or an integer of from 1 to about 20 , and each R⁹ is (C₆-C₁₈)alkyl, (C₁-C₁₈)alkylphenyl, or (C₆-C₁₈)alkylamido(C₂-C₆)alkyl.

Suitable sulfosuccinicate surfactant compounds include, for example, disodium monooctylsulfosuccinate, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, disodium laurimide (MEA) sulfosuccinate, disodium mono-alkylphenyl ether sulfosuccinate, and mixtures thereof.

Alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant compounds are generally known compounds and include agronomically acceptable salts of alkoxylated carboxylic acids. In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant compounds according to formula (VI):

wherein:

each R¹⁰ is independently H or methyl,

R¹¹ is alkyl or alkenyl,

p is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 100 , more typically an integer of from 1 to 50 , and

X⁺ is an agronomically acceptable cation.

In one embodiment, R¹¹ is (C₈-C₁₈)alkyl.

In one embodiment, each R¹⁰ is H and p is an integer of from 1 to about 10.

Suitable alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant compounds include, for example, sodium laureth-13 carboxylate.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant compounds. The fatty acid portion of such alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant compounds is derived from a saturated or unsaturated mono- or di-fatty acids, typically (C₆-C₃₀) fatty acids, such as, for example, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, or a mixture thereof, including vegetable oils, such as, for example, tall oil, rapeseed oil, canola oil, soy oil, coconut oil, castor oil, corn oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, linseed oil, flax seed oil, palm kernel oil, and mixtures thereof. These acids are alkoxylated with from 2 to 20 moles, more typically from 5 to 20 moles of a (C₂-C₄)alkylene oxide, more typically, ethylene oxide.

Alkoxylated alcohol surfactant compounds are generally known compounds. In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises one or more alkoxylated alcohol surfactant compounds according to formula (VII):

wherein

each R¹² is independently H or methyl,

R¹³ is alkyl or alkenyl,

q is an integer of from 1 to 100 , more typically from 1 to 50, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, R¹³ is (C₆-C₂₂)alkyl.

In one embodiment, each R¹² is H and q is an integer of from 1 to about 30.

Suitable alkoxylated alcohol surfactant compounds include, for example, ethoxylated (15) tridecyl alcohol, ethoxylated (7) lauryl alcohol, ethoxylated (20) oleyl alcohol, ethoxylated (15) stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

The adjuvant composition comprises a non-zero amount of the one or more betaine surfactant compounds and a non-zero amount of one or more surfactant compounds selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols. As used herein, “non-zero amount” means an amount greater than 0.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight (“pbw”) of the adjuvant composition:

-   (a) greater or equal to than about 0.1 pbw, more typically from     about 1 pbw to about 99 pbw, even more typically from about 1 pbw to     about 50 pbw, and still more typically from about 5 pbw to about 25     pbw, of one or more betaine surfactant compounds, and -   (b) greater or equal to than about 0.1 pbw, more typically from     about 0.001 pbw to about 0.1 pbw, even more typically from about     0.005 pbw to about 0.095 pbw, and still more typically from about     0.02 pbw to about 0.08 pbw, of one or more surfactant compounds     selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates,     alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated     alcohols.

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkyl ether sulfate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one sulfonate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one sulfosuccinate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, and alkoxylated alcohols

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkoxylated alcohol surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, and alkoxylated fatty acids.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition comprises, per 1 pbw betaine component of such adjuvant composition, from about 0.1 to about 10 , more typically from about 1 to about 8 , and even more typically from about 2 to about 5 pbw, of one or more surfactant compounds selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

Suitable pesticides are biologically active compounds used to control agricultural pests and include, for example, herbicides, plant growth regulators, crop dessicants, fungicides, bacteriocides, bacteriostats, insecticides, and insect repellants. Suitable pesticides include, for example, triazine herbicides such as metribuzin, hexaxinone, or atrazine; sulfonylurea herbicides such as chlorsulfuron; uracils such as lenacil, bromacil, or terbacil; urea herbicides such as linuron, diuron, siduron, or neburon; acetanilide herbicides such as alachlor, or metolachlor; thiocarbamate herbicides such as benthiocarb, triallate; oxadiazolone herbicides such as oxadiazon; phenoxyacetic acids such as 2,4-D; diphenyl ether herbicides such as fluazifop, acifluorfen, bifenox, or oxyfluorfen; dinitro aniline herbicides such as trifluralin; organophosphonate herbicides such as glyphosate salts and esters; dihalobenzonitrile herbicides such as bromoxynil, or ioxynil, dipyridilium herbicides such as paraquat. Suitable fungicides include, for example, nitrilo oxime fungicides such as cymoxanil; imidazole fungicides such as benomyl, carbendazim, or thiophanate-methyl; triazole fungicides such as triadimefon; sulfenamide fungicides, such as captan; dithio-carbamate fungicides such as maneb, mancozeb, or thiram; chloronated aromatic fungicides such as chloroneb; dichloro aniline fungicides such as iprodione, strobilurin fungicides such as kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin or azoxystrobin; chlorothalonil; copper salt fungicides such as copper oxychloride; sulfur; phenylamides; and acylamino fungicides such as metalaxyl or mefenoxam. Suitable insecticides, include, for example, carbamate insecticides, such as methomyl, carbaryl, carbofuran, or aldicarb; organo thiophosphate insecticides such as EPN, isofenphos, isoxathion, chlorpyrifos, or chlormephos; organophosphate insecticides such as terbufos, monocrotophos, or terachlorvinphos; perchlorinated organic insecticides such as methoxychlor; synthetic pyrethroid insecticides such as fenvalerate, abamectin or emamectin benzoate, neonicotinoide insecticides such as thiamethoxam or imidacloprid; pyrethroid insecticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin or bifenthrin, and oxadiazine insecticides such as indoxacarb, imidachlopryd, or fipronil. Suitable miticides include, for example, propynyl sulfite miticides such as propargite; triazapentadiene miticides such as amitraz; chlorinated aromatic miticides such as chlorobenzilate, or tetradifan; and dinitrophenol miticides such as binapacryl. Suitable nematicides include carbamate nematicides, such as oxamyl.

Pesticide compounds are, in general, referred herein to by the names assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO common names may be cross-referenced to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (“IUPAC”) and Chemical Abstracts Service (“CAS”) names through a number of sources such as, for example, the Compendium of Pesticide Common Names , which is available on-line at http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/index.html.

In one embodiment, the pesticide comprises one or more compounds selected from group consisting of herbicides, plant growth regulators, crop dessicants, fungicides, bacteriocides, bacteriostats, insecticides, miticides, nematocides, and insect repellants.

In one embodiment, the pesticide comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of glufosinate, glyphosate, water soluble glufosinate salts, water soluble glyphosate salts, and mixtures thereof, including, for example sodium, potassium, isopropyl amine, and ammonium salts.

In one embodiment, the pesticide comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the potassium salt of glyphosate, the sodium salt of glyphosate, the isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate, the ammonium salt of glyphosate.

Herbicidal compositions containing glyphosate or derivatives thereof are used to control a very wide variety of plants worldwide and can, when applied to the target plant in a herbicidally effective amount, reportedly control one or more target plant species of one or more of the following genera: Abutilon, Amaranthus, Artemisia, Asclepias, Avena, Axonopus, Borreria, Brachiaria, Brassica, Bromus, Chenopodium, Cirsium, Commelina, Convolvulus, Cynodon, Cyperus, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleusine, Elymus, Equisetum, Erodium, Helianthus, Imperata, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lolium, Malva, Oryza, Ottochloa, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phragmites, Polygonum, Portulaca, Pteridium, Pueraria, Rubus, Salsola, Setaria, Sida, Sinapis, Sorghum, Triticum, Typha, Ulex, Xanthium and Zea , including annual broadleaf species such as, for example, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), buttonweed (Borreria spp.), oilseed rape, canola, indian mustard, etc. (Brassica spp.), commelina (Commelina spp.), filaree (Erodium spp.), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), morningglory (Ipomoea spp.), kochia (Kochia scoparia), mallow (Malva spp.), wild buckwheat, smartweed, etc. (Polygonum spp.), purslane (Portulaca spp.), russian thistle (Salsola spp.), sida (Sida spp.), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and cocklebur (Xanthium spp.), annual narrowleaf species such as for example, wild oat (Avena fatua), carpetgrass (Axonopus spp.), downy brome (Bromus tectorum), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), rice (Oryza sativa), ottochloa (Ottochloa nodosa), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), canarygrass (Phalaris spp.), foxtail (Setaria spp.), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and corn (Zea mays), perennial broadleaf species such as, for example, mugwort (Artemisia spp.), milkweed (Asclepias spp.), canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and kudzu (Pueraria spp.), perennial narrowleaf species such as for example, brachiaria (Brachiaria spp.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), purple nutsedge (C. rotundus), quackgrass (Elymus repens), lalang (Imperata cylindrica), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), guineagrass (Panicum maximum), dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), reed (Phragmites spp.), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) and cattail (Typha spp.), and other perennial species such as, for example, horsetail (Equisetum spp.), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), blackberry (Rubus spp.), and gorse (Ulex europaeus).

As used herein, the terminology “effective amount” in reference to the relative amount of a pesticide in a pesticide composition means the relative amount of pesticide that is effective to control the growth of a target organism, for example, a target plant, fungus, bacterium, or insect, when the pesticide composition is applied to the organism at a given application rate.

In one embodiment, the pesticide is glyphosate herbicide and the pesticide composition is an herbicide composition that comprises a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate.

As used herein, the terminology “an herbicidally effective amount” in reference to the relative amount of herbicide in an herbicidal composition means the relative amount that is effective to control growth of a target plant when the herbicidal composition is spray applied to the target plant at a given application rate.

The adjuvant composition comprises a non-zero amount of the one or more betaine surfactant compounds and a non-zero amount of one or more surfactant compounds selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises, based on 100 pbw of the adjuvant composition:

-   (a) greater than or equal to about 0.001 part by weight, more     typically from about 0.001 pbw to about to about 0.1 pbw, even more     typically from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.05 pbw, and still more     typically from about 0.005 pbw to about 0.025 pbw, of one or more     betaine surfactant compounds, -   (b) greater than or equal to about 0.001 part by weight, more     typically from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.1 pbw, even more typically     from about 0.005 pbw to about 0.095 pbw, and still more typically     from about 0.02 pbw to about 0.08 pbw, of one or more surfactant     compounds selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates,     sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids,     and alkoxylated alcohols, and -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

In one embodiment of the pesticide composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkyl ether sulfate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the adjuvant composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one sulfonate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the pesticide composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one sulfosuccinate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols.

In one embodiment of the pesticide composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkoxylated alcohols

In one embodiment of the pesticide composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, and alkoxylated alcohols

In one embodiment of the pesticide composition, the one or more surfactants comprise at least one alkoxylated alcohol surfactant and may optionally further comprise one or more surfactants selected from alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether carboxylates, and alkoxylated fatty acids.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises, based on 100 pbw of the composition, from about 10 pbw to about 90 pbw, more typically from about 30 to about 60 pbw, glyphosate.

The adjuvant and pesticide compositions of the present invention may each, optionally, further comprise one or more agronomically acceptable solvent. Suitable solvents include, for example, water, and organic solvents, such as for example, alkylated aromatic solvents, such as toluene or alkylated naphthalenes and mineral oil fractions, such as paraffinic hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention is an aqueous composition and thus comprises water.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention is an aqueous composition and thus comprises water.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present invention further comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 25 pbw an organic solvent.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition further comprises a fertilizer. Such fertilizers can provide the primary nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium such as urea ammonium nitrate (30-0-0), 10-34-0 , secondary nutrients sulfur, calcium, magnesium such as ammonium thiosulfate 12-0-0-26S, micronutrient fertilizers containing zinc, iron, molybdenum, copper, boron, chlorine, magnesium, for example 0-0-1 3%-S; 3%-Zn; 2%-Fe; 2%-Mn and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises from about 85 to about 99 pbw, more typically from about 90 to about 99 pbw, and even more typically from about 93 to about 99 pbw, of a mixture of fertilizer and water.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention further comprises one or more water conditioners, such as for example, chelating agents, such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, complexing agents such as ammonium sulfate, and pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid and polyacrylic acid.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, from about 0.1 to about 3 pbw, more typically from about 0.7 to about 2.5 pbw, of one or more water conditioners, typically ammonium sulfate.

The pesticide composition of the present invention may, optionally, further comprise other ingredients, such as one or more additional surfactants, one or more thickeners, such as polysaccharide thickeners, and polyacrylamide thickeners, as well as antifoams, spreaders, and drift control agents.

The adjuvant composition of the present invention is made by combining and mixing the components of such composition.

The pesticide composition of the present invention is made by mixing the ingredients together. In one embodiment, the pesticide composition is made by combining and mixing the adjuvant composition of the present invention, a pesticide compound, and water. Alternatively, the pesticide composition is made by combining and mixing the separate components of the adjuvant composition, a pesticide, and water.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition is spray applied to foliage of a target plant at a rate of from about 0.5 pint/acre to about 3 pints/acre, more typically from about 0.5 pint/acre to about 2.5 pints/acre.

EXAMPLES 1-10 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES C1-C4

The pesticide compositions of Examples 1-10 and Comparative Examples C1-C4 were aqueous solutions made by combining the ingredients in the relative amounts (based on 100 pbw of the respective pesticide composition) set forth below and mixing:

EX # Ingredients (pbw/100 pbw pesticide composition) 1 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 3.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ethoxylated with 1-3 moles ethylene oxide per mole) 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 57 pbw water 2 2.25 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 2.5 pbw tall oil fatty acid ethoxylated with 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 57.25 pbw water 3 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 4.95 pbw tall oil fatty acid ethoxylated with 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 55.55 pbw water 4 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 2.5 pbw tall oil fatty acid ethoxylated with 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole 1.12 pbw 45% aqueous solution of sodium alkylphenoxy benzene sulfonate 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 56.88 pbw water 5 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 2.8 pbw 56% aqueous solution of ammonium (C₈-C₁₀)alkyl ether sulfate, ethoxylated with 3 moles ethylene oxide per mole 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 57.7 pbw water 6 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 4 pbw sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 56.5 pbw water 7 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 3.75 pbw sodium laureth-13 carboxylate 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 56.75 pbw water 8 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 2 pbw disodium laurimide (MEA) sulfosuccinate 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 58.5 pbw water 9 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 5 pbw ethoxylated (20 moles ethylene oxide per mole) oleyl alcohol 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 55.5 pbw water 10  1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 2 pbw ammonium xylene sulfonate 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 58.5 pbw water C1 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 62 pbw water C2 3 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 59 pbw water C3 1.5 pbw 30% aqueous solution of (C₁₂-C₁₄)alkyl dimethyl betaine 38 pbw glyphosate isopropyl amine salt (MON0139, Monsanto) 60.5 pbw water C4 Roundup ® Ultramax

The efficacy of the compositions in controlling plant growth was tested by applying the compositions to the following plant species: Green Foxtail (“GRF”), Giant Foxtail (“GF”), Shattercane (“SC”), Barnyard Grass (“BG”), Redroot Pigweed (“PW”), Common Waterhemp (“WH”), Common

Purslane (“CP”), Kochia (“KO”), Velvetleaf (“VL”), Common Lambsquarter (“LQ”), Ivy Morning Glory (“MG”), at a rate of 0.5 pint per acre and at a rate of 1.0 pint per acre. Results for the 0.5 pint per acre application rate at 28 days post application are given in TABLE I below as percent control of plant growth for various plant species. Results for the 1.0 pint per acre application rate are given below in TABLE II as percent control of plant growth for various plant species.

TABLE I 28 Days, 0.5 pint/acre % Control of Plant Growth Example # GRF GF SC BG PW WH CP KO VL LQ MG 1 100 100 84 77 100 100 100 91 78 85 91 2 100 100 91 83 100 100 73 72 68 88 91 3 100 100 73 63 100 100 95 73 73 73 78 4 100 100 79 62 100 100 88 71 42 78 91 5 100 98 58 63 100 100 73 58 78 63 88 6 100 99 58 68 100 100 78 63 30 58 86 7 100 100 88 86 100 100 68 73 62 90 78 8 100 100 73 72 100 100 78 58 28 73 81 9 100 100 91 92 100 100 83 73 83 87 83 10  100 100 81 74 100 100 83 63 73 81 71 C1 100 97 38 38 100 100 22 48 22 18 62 C2 100 100 78 73 100 100 73 73 48 82 63 C3 100 100 73 68 100 100 58 82 63 73 80 C4 100 100 73 82 100 100 78 92 72 85 48

TABLE II 28 Days, 1.0 pint/acre % Control of Plant Growth Example # GRF GF SC BG PW WH CP KO VL LQ MG 1 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 97 93 2 100 100 100 100 100 100 94 100 85 100 90 3 100 100 95 88 100 100 100 94 89 94 86 4 100 100 94 78 100 100 100 90 91 94 96 5 100 100 68 68 100 100 100 83 94 72 88 6 100 100 84 78 100 100 96 83 83 83 92 7 100 100 94 88 100 100 96 94 83 91 94 8 100 100 88 88 100 100 100 94 82 92 91 9 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 93 93 100 88 10  100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 93 100 73 C1 100 98 48 48 100 100 72 78 70 12 75 C2 100 100 88 91 100 100 85 98 73 91 78 C3 100 100 86 88 100 100 100 88 98 85 78 C4 100 100 86 91 100 100 94 100 88 94 71 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pesticide composition, comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (a) from greater than or equal to about 0.001 part by weight to about 1 part by weight of a betaine surfactant compound comprising one or more compounds according to formula (I):

wherein: R¹ and R² are each methyl and R³ is (C₈-C₁₈)alkyl, (b) from greater than or equal to about 0.001 part by weight to about 10 parts by weight of one or more surfactant compounds selected from sulfonates according to formula (III) or (IV):

wherein: R⁶ is dimethylphenyl, aryloxy, or alkenyl, R⁷ and R^(7′) are each independently arylene, and X⁺is an agronomically acceptable cation; sodium laureth-13 carboxylate; alkoxylated fatty acids and alkoxylated alcohols according to formula (VII):

wherein each R¹² is independently H or methyl, R¹³ is alkyl or alkenyl, q is an integer of from 1 to 100, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof; and (c) an effective amount of a pesticide comprising one or more water soluble glyphosate salts.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein pesticide compound comprises one or more compounds selected from potassium salt of glyphosate, sodium salt of glyphosate, isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate, and ammonium salt of glyphosate.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surfactant compounds comprise a sulfonate surfactant according to formula (III) or (IV).
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surfactant compounds comprise sodium laureth-13 carboxylate.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surfactant compounds comprise an alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surfactant compounds comprise an alkoxylated alcohol surfactant according to formula (VII).
 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises, per 1 part by weight betaine component of the composition, from about 0.1 to about 10 part by weight of the one or more surfactant compounds selected from the sulfonates according to formula (III) or (IV), sodium laureth-13 carboxylate, the alkoxylated fatty acids, and the alkoxylated alcohols according to formula (VII).
 8. The composition of claim 3, wherein the sulfonate surfactant according to formula (III) or (IV) is the sulfonate surfactant according to formula (III).
 9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the sulfonate surfactant according to formula (III) is ammonium xylene sulfonate.
 10. The composition of claim 5, wherein the alkoxylated fatty acid surfactant is ethoxylated tall oil fatty acid.
 11. The composition of claim 6, wherein the alkoxylated alcohol surfactant is ethoxylated oleyl alcohol.
 12. A method for treating a target plant to control the growth of the plant, comprising applying to the plant a pesticide composition according to claim
 1. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pesticide comprises one or more compounds selected from potassium salt of glyphosate, sodium salt of glyphosate, isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate, and ammonium salt of glyphosate. 